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Updated: Jun 28, 2026
11:22
Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
Published on: October 15, 2019
Multi-kingdom gut microbiota analyses define bacterial-fungal interplay in multiple type 2 diabetes cohorts
Qian Xu1, Li Sun2, Xuejie Han3
1Department of Anhui Provincial Clinical Laboratory Centre, Centre for Leading Medicine and Advanced Technologies of IHM, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, China. xq113@ustc.edu.cn.
Science China. Life Sciences
|June 27, 2026
Summary
This study reveals that type 2 diabetes (T2D) involves significant gut microbiome changes across bacteria, fungi, archaea, and viruses. Saccharomyces cerevisiae shows promise as a potential probiotic for improving metabolic health.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Metagenomics
- Type 2 Diabetes Research
Background:
- The gut microbiome's role in type 2 diabetes (T2D) is not fully understood, especially across different microbial kingdoms and populations.
- Previous research has primarily focused on single microbial groups, limiting a comprehensive view of T2D-associated dysbiosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a meta-analysis of fecal metagenomes to identify conserved microbial alterations in T2D across multiple kingdoms.
- To develop and validate a multi-kingdom microbial signature for T2D diagnosis.
- To investigate the potential of Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a therapeutic agent for T2D.
Main Methods:
- Meta-analysis of 3,857 fecal metagenomes from six international cohorts, including bacteria, fungi, archaea, and viruses.
- Development and cross-cohort validation of supervised machine-learning models for multi-kingdom microbial profiling.
- Assessment of a 33-marker cross-kingdom panel for diagnostic performance.
- Experimental validation in mice using Saccharomyces cerevisiae supplementation.
Main Results:
- Identified conserved T2D-associated alterations: reduced bacterial and viral diversity, increased fungal and archaeal diversity.
- A 33-marker multi-kingdom panel demonstrated robust diagnostic performance (AUR-OC=0.82), surpassing single-kingdom models.
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae was consistently depleted in T2D patients and showed potential therapeutic benefits in mouse models, improving glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity.
Conclusions:
- Multi-kingdom microbial signatures offer significant diagnostic value for T2D.
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae depletion is a key feature of T2D, and its supplementation may represent a novel therapeutic strategy.
- These findings underscore the importance of a holistic, cross-kingdom approach to understanding and intervening in T2D pathogenesis.
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